This architecture student decided not to enroll after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. Months later, he had an idea to help his family financially. It is through his talent— sketching!
22-year-old artist Zyrus Earl Montealto from South Cotabato started sketching during the T’nalak Festival in 2018. During that time, he would earn P70 from every live sketch.
“Madalas akong nag l-live sketch ‘pag may mga events or minsan iniinvite ako. Like [for] example, fiesta or youth fest or mga camping. Doon ko po pinapakita ‘yung pag li-live sketch ko. Since kinder ako, mahilig na ako. Usually pag preparatory or elementary at kinder, mahilig na akong mag color or ‘yung tinatawag nilang ginagamit namin noon crayons,” he recalled.
“Pagdating ko sa elementary, dinevelop ko din yung skills ko. So pag elementary, nahiligan ko din yung pagd-drawing at saka yung sumasali ako sa mga editorial cartooning po sa school and also sa poster making contests,” he added.
During the pandemic, the young artist found a way to showcase his work to more people. He even accepted different remote art commissions.
Now, he earns P300 per quick sketch and P200 for each live sketch. When he conducts live sketching in public events, he typically earns P1,000 a day. Zyrus’ public commission work helped support his family’s expenses at home.
“Kahit na nasa bahay lang kami, as an artist, we can spread or we can share our creativity through arts po so naging malaking way talaga yo’n para mas madevelop po namin ‘yung skills namin as an artist po. Na experience ko din na pag pandemic, always ako tumatanggap ng mural commissions or kahit saan ako naka abot na kumuha ng commissions kasi madami ding mga restaurants or mga tourist spot. Humahanap sila ng mural artists,” Zyrus said.
Before the pandemic, Zyrus was taking up BS Architecture.
“Nung start ng pandemic, napauwi ako bigla dito sa amin and then dahil din sa pandemic, halos lahat ng gamit ko, naiwan do’n sa Davao so nahirapan din ako mag adjust kasi biglaang nag online classes na. So parang gano’n po na manual sa course namin mahirap po sa online classes so hindi po ako nagtuloy po sa pag enroll,” he said.
Zyrus is planning to continue his studies sometime soon, especially since face-to-face classes are gradually being implemented in schools.
“’Yun din ‘yung way para ma-enhance ko din ‘yung talent ko kasi mahirap din kasi if mag stay lang ako as a visual artist. So gusto ko talaga i-pursue yung architecture din po,” Zyrus noted.
Now that he earns from his craft, he feels nothing but contentment knowing that his artworks also make other people smile.
“Usually naaamaze talaga sila. Nakakagaan talaga sa loob na makita nila na kumbaga naguhit ‘yung mukha nila. Nakakagaan sa loob na parang kumbaga nagregalo ka rin sa kanila ng isang portrait. Minsan ‘yung iba nagpapa-picture din na parang kumbaga remembrance nila,” he said.
“Keep practicing lang po and in everything you do, you must honor God in everything you do. Kasi lahat ng source na meron tayo or mga blessings na natatanggap natin kasi nanggaling sa kanya. You also do hard work and also patience kasi minsan, itong pag l-live sketch or quick sketch, hindi siya masasabi mong mabilisan yung progress mo. So minsan makaka experience tayo ng ups and downs,” he said when asked about his message to fellow artists
